4 Tips for Meal Planning

Women are known for always being on the go, whether they are running to a baseball game, a school function, picking their kids up from school, or trying to make it to work on time. No wonder when it’s finally time for supper, they reach for the easiest, quickest thing. Unfortunately, these are usually not the healthiest choices, because honestly after running around all day, who has time to fix a meal….let alone a healthy one? How many evenings have you felt like pulling your hair out when the kids are fussing and the husband is asking what’s for supper? You walk into the kitchen, open the fridge and stare into it, just hoping something healthy and delicious will pop out, only to be overwhelmed and disappointed when you realize you have nothing on hand to prepare a decent meal .  

Trust me, I have been there more times than I can count! That’s why I have written the following 4 tips out for you. Not only will they help you be less frustrated at meal times, but it will also lead to eating healthier meals for both you and your family. It will also allow you to organize/plan your week by knowing what groceries you need, as well as put your mind at ease come supper time. 

TIP # 1: Keep a basic, well-stocked, pantry. Have items such as almond flour, baking soda, salt, spices, olive oil, frozen vegetables, canned beans, frozen salmon etc, always on hand. This will allow you to be able to put a quick and healthy meal together in a crunch. 

TIP #2: Pick a designated time and day to meal plan for the upcoming week. I know it may not be fun, and it can seem overwhelming at first, but trust me on this, a few minutes spent now can save you hours, and a lot of frustration, during the week. Once you have your meals written out, do a quick glance through your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what ingredients you have on hand and which ones you need to pick up. Write a quick list of these items to the side so you will have them when you are at the grocery store…..OR do what I do and use curbside pick up. I carry my phone with me while seeing what ingredients I have already and then add the ones I need to my cart right then and there. This saves time and ensures I don’t forget to write something down.

 (You can pick up a cute little meal planning template when you sign up for my email list by completing the Send A Note section on the website https://thefitnessnutritionists.com/). The key here is to have a plan for the week, I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. It is worth the little bit of time now to map out your meals for the week and have a game plan in place.

TIP #3: This is one of my personal favorites,  use recipes that have similar ingredients. This tip saves so much time and money, and makes meal prepping easier on you. There are countless recipes that have similar ingredients, for example, brown some lean ground beef and use it one night for tacos and the next night for spaghetti. 

TIP #4: Use leftovers! There is nothing wrong with having the same meal twice in the same week. Most leftover food items can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Meal prepping can take time and practice, but using these 4 tips can make it easier, more time efficient, and can help save your sanity on those hectic evenings. It also allows you to plan for healthier meals so you can feel better and more confident about your food choices and what you are preparing for your family.   

Remember, food is meant to be enjoyed. It brings everyone together and provides fuel for your body so you can go watch those baseball games, go to work, and attend all those family functions, all while feeling confident and calm when it comes to meal planning!